DeSmith allowed four goals on 14 shots in the final two periods of Tuesday's 8-4 loss to the Rangers after replacing Tristan Jarry.

EDGE Analysis

On one hand, DeSmith gave up as many goals in two periods as Jarry did in one. On the other, DeSmith has now allowed 10 goals in his last five periods. His struggles over the past two games are especially shocking considering DeSmith had allowed only six goals in his previous seven appearances. It remains to be seen which goaltender Pittsburgh tabs for Thursday's rematch with the Rangers.

DeSmith stopped 21 of 27 shots in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

Boston's final goal was scored into an empty net. DeSmith was beaten five times in the second period alone, and the six goals allowed equaled his total from his prior seven appearances combined. Despite the shellacking, the 29-year-old still has a 2.13 GAA and .922 save percentage on the season, but with Tristan Jarry (upper body) expected to return to action next week, DeSmith's brief period as the team's clear No. 1 netminder could end on a sour note.

DeSmith will guard the road goal during Saturday's matchup with the Bruins, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

DeSmith has been razor sharp recently, going 3-0-0 while maintaining an exceptional 0.82 GAA and .973 save percentage through his last four appearances. The 29-year-old netminder will attempt to pick up a fourth straight win in a road matchup with a Boston team that's averaging 2.94 goals per game at home this year, 19th in the NHL.

DeSmith made 30 saves in a 4-1 over Boston on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The only goal that got past him was a Brad Marchand redirect from the left side of the slot. DeSmith earns the distinction of being in the blue paint when the Pens snapped a 10-game road losing streak -- dating back to 2014 -- against the Bruins. DeSmith will continue to be the top tender while Tristan Jarry (upper body) remains sidelined.

DeSmith will tend the twine for Thursday's road clash with the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

DeSmith has been rock solid in his last five contests, posting a 3-1-0 record, 0.86 GAA and .971 save percentage. The 29-year-old netminder will guard the crease after starter Tristan Jarry (upper body) sustained an injury versus the Islanders on Monday.

DeSmith stopped 19 of the 20 shots he faced after replacing Tristan Jarry (upper body) to begin the second period of Monday's 2-1 win over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Aside from a power-play tally by Matt Martin, DeSmith held down the fort, although Jarry still got credit for the win as he exited the game with the lead. DeSmith has a stellar 1.91 GAA and .929 save percentage on the season, and if Jarry's injury proves to be serious, he would be in line for a heavy workload as the Pens' No. 1 netminder.

DeSmith will patrol the crease during Thursday's home game versus the Sabres, Mike DeFabo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

DeSmith was sharp in his last start Saturday against New Jersey, stopping 24 of 25 shots en route to a 3-1 victory. He'll attempt to pick up his eighth win of the season in a favorable home matchup with a free-falling Buffalo team that's lost seven straight games.

DeSmith made 24 saves in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Devils.

EDGE Analysis

Kyle Palmieri gave New Jersey a 1-0 lead midway through the first period, but DeSmith stood tall the rest of the way. The 29-year-old netminder has allowed two goals or less in five straight starts, a run that has propelled him into a timeshare with Tristan Jarry over the last week, and on the season DeSmith sports a stellar 2.11 GAA and .919 save percentage.

DeSmith will guard the road cage during Saturday's matchup with New Jersey, Josh Getzoff of PensTV reports.

EDGE Analysis

DeSmith was pretty sharp in his last start Tuesday against the Bruins, turning aside 31 of 33 shots, but he ultimately suffered his third loss of the season due to poor goal support from his teammates. He'll attempt to get back in the win column in a favorable road matchup with a Devils team that's 4-10-2 at home this year.

DeSmith allowed two goals on 33 shots in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

The American netminder continues to shine, as this was the fourth consecutive performance in which he yielded two goals or less. Still, DeSmith was saddled with the loss despite the latest hard-fought battle. World-class winger David Pastrnak put one past him on the power play, and DeSmith was completely boxed out on Trent Fredric's game-winning tally. Tristan Jarry remains Pittsburgh's primary option in goal, but DeSmith has been playing at a high level and deserves consideration whenever he gets the nod.